As predictable as the sun setting in the West

Upon conclusion of the Minnesota Legislative session less than two weeks ago, many politicos were anticipating that alleged felony burglar Sen. Nicole Mitchell (DFL-Woodbury) would soon be urged by her own party to resign. 

I guess the only surprise is it occurred 10 days after session as opposed to one minute after the pronouncement of "Sine Die." 

ST PAUL – Today, Minnesota DFL Chairman Ken Martin called for the resignation of Sen. Nicole Mitchell.

DFL Chairman Ken Martin: “The Minnesota DFL believes that all elected officials should be held accountable, including members of our own party. While Sen. Mitchell is entitled to her day in court, her continued refusal to take responsibility for her actions is beneath her office and has become a distraction for her district and the Legislature. Now that her constituents have had full representation through the end of the legislative session, it is time for her to resign to focus on the personal and legal challenges she faces.”

Had Martin called for Mitchell's resignation in the immediate aftermath of her being charged with a felony, that would've been a noble gesture. But to do so only after she was the deciding vote on critical pieces of legislation over the final month of session is the dictionary definition of gutless. There have been literally ZERO new developments in Mitchell's case since her Facebook post contradicting statements she made to arresting officers. So if her "refusal to take responsibility for her actions" is a major affront now, how was it less so when returning to work less than a week after the alleged incident?

When Republicans were calling on Mitchell to resign, many DFL leaders and surrogates replied with the obligatory "sHe'S eNtItLeD tO dUe PrOcEsS." But even now when Dems want her gone, her attorney is basically going to give them the same retort. 

After DFL Party Chair Ken Martin called for Sen. Nicole Mitchell to resign, her attorney in a statement says she will continue to serve "until her criminal case is fully and finally adjudicated." #mnleg pic.twitter.com/dUBXVG8fkC

— Caroline Cummings (@CaroRCummings) May 30, 2024

Now that Mitchell is no longer a useful tool for the DFL, there's incentive to be rid of her by June 8. That date is critical because if a vacancy occurs in the Legislature on or before then, replacement candidates would be on the ballot according to the normal 2024 election year calendar (August 13th for party primaries and November 5th for the general election). Given the district Mitchell represents is solidly blue, a DFLer would most assuredly prevail given normal election turnout this fall. But if Mitchell stays until she is, say, convicted of a crime, she would have no choice but to move on, thus triggering a special election. While a Dem would most likely prevail even in those circumstances, turnout for a special is not as predictable. 

Amazingly, the DFL's actions have resulted in Mitchell having the moral high ground in this battle. Essentially, she and her lawyer are (correctly) saying that if she was OK to remain in the Senate to cast votes despite these legal issues hanging over her head, why is her status suddenly taboo now, especially with the Legislature out of session? 

Popcorn's poppin'!!!

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